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There’s something so fulfilling about stepping into a well-organized kitchen where everything has its place, cooking feels effortless, and even the little details bring joy. I’ve fine-tuned my kitchen cooking area to be both efficient and beautiful, making meal prep not only easier but also so much more enjoyable!
Today, I’m sharing my must-have essentials that keep my kitchen running smoothly and looking stylish at the same time. These simple touches make a world of difference, helping me cook with ease while keeping my space organized and inspiring.
1. The Bowl That Holds It All
One of my favorite countertop essentials is a beautiful wooden bowl that holds my measuring cups and spoons. Instead of fumbling through drawers, I can quickly grab what I need while cooking. Plus, the natural wood adds warmth and charm to my kitchen, making it both practical and aesthetically pleasing. Function meets beauty, exactly how I like it!
2. The Perfect Seasoning Setup
When I’m cooking, salt, pepper, and olive oil are my best friends, so they need to be right where I need them, next to the stove. I keep my salt and pepper mills, alongside my olive oil in a gorgeous ceramic bottle. Not only does this make seasoning effortless, but it also keeps my countertops looking sleek and intentional.
3. A Drawer Just for Pots & Pans
If you’ve ever wrestled with a messy cabinet full of pots and pans, you know the struggle. That’s why I love having my pots and pans stored in a drawer right next to my stove, easy to access, easy to put away. On the other side of my stove, I keep my baking pans in another drawer, making it simple to grab what I need without digging through stacks of cookware. A true game-changer for stress-free cooking!
4. The Ultimate Spice Drawer
A seasoning drawer is an absolute must in my kitchen. I keep all my favorite spices decanted into beautiful spice jars with labels from Amazon, I added the bamboo spice jar lids to bring in visual warmth, creating an organized and visually satisfying setup. Not only does this make finding the right spice effortless, but it also gives my kitchen a polished, high-end look.
5. One kitchen feature I absolutely love is my pot filler! If you’ve ever lugged a heavy pot of water from the sink to the stove, you know what a game-changer this can be. When researching the best pot filler to install, I knew I wanted one with two mounts, this ensures stability and prevents it from leaning over time. Now, I can fill my pots right at the stove, making cooking so much more efficient (and saving my back in the process!). As I get older, I appreciate anything that makes life in the kitchen easier, and this little luxury has been worth every penny!
A Kitchen That Works for You
Having an organized cooking area is about more than just looks, it’s about making your kitchen work for you! When your most-used tools and ingredients are within reach and beautifully arranged, cooking becomes easier, more enjoyable, and even a little inspiring.
And speaking of organizing things that work for you, my newest book, The Beautifully Organized Estate Planner, is available for pre-order. It’s all about creating peace of mind and an organized legacy for you and your family. Be sure to grab your copy today!
Happy organizing & happy cooking!
Nikki